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Theft Arrest At Wal-Mart

BERLIN — A Berlin woman was arrested on theft and theft scheme charges last week after getting caught allegedly attempting to swipe nearly $1,300 worth of merchandize from the Wal-Mart on Route 50.
Around 1:50 p.m. last Friday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Wal-Mart on Route 50 near Berlin for a reported theft. Deputies made contact with the suspect, later identified as Mary Ellen Reid, 49, of Berlin. During the investigation, deputies found in Reid’s vehicle a black trash bag with numerous items of clothing, footwear and toiletries still bearing Wal-Mart sales tags.
Deputies returned the merchandise to Wal-Mart where the items were scanned over a register and totaled $1,289. Reid was arrested and charged with theft from $1,000 to less than $10,000 and theft scheme from $1,000 to less than $10,000. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held at the Worcester County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Alleged Armed Robber
Nabbed After Crash
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man tracked by multiple law enforcement agencies for a string of armed robberies earlier this week was apprehended late Tuesday night after a high-speed pursuit resulted in a crash.
Around 7:50 a.m. on Monday, Salisbury Police detectives and the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation (WBI) initiated a joint investigation into the armed robbery of the Vintage Beverage store on Snow Hill Rd. at Shiloh Street. Detectives believed the incident was possibly connected to other recent armed robberies in the area being investigated by both agencies. As a result of the investigation, photos of a suspect were obtained and a suspected vehicle was identified.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Salisbury Police observed the suspect vehicle from the Vintage Beverage robbery the day before traveling in the area of Snow Hill Rd. and Vine Street. Officers stopped the vehicle and immediately determined the driver matched the description of the suspect in the earlier robberies.
When detectives attempted to continue their investigation, the driver, identified as Ruben Arnaz Collins, 42, of Salisbury, fled in the vehicle. A brief pursuit ensued, which ended when Collins’ vehicle crashed in the area of E. Main Street and Church Street. Collins fled on foot after the crash, but was apprehended a short distance away.
Collins was treated for minor injuries at PRMC and was released to police. No officers or other individuals were injured during the pursuit and subsequent crash. The Maryland State Police are assisting with the investigation of the vehicle crash.
Detectives were able to link Collins to the Vintage Beverage incident and he has been charged with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of assault, theft and attempted theft. For the vehicle pursuit and crash, Collins has been charged with fleeing and eluding, obstructing and hindering and resisting arrest. The investigation into the other armed robberies in the area to which Collins has been linked continues and additional charges are pending. Anyone with information about the recent robberies is urged to contact the WBI at 410-548-4898, or Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.

Berlin Man Charged
In Alleged Knife Assault
BERLIN — A Berlin man was arrested on first- and second-degree assault charges last weekend after allegedly threatening another individual with a knife at a residence.
Around 3:15 p.m. last Saturday, Berlin Police responded to a reported assault on Old Ocean City Blvd. The unidentified victim told police a suspect, later identified as Timothy Wheatley, 23, of Berlin, had threatened him with a knife. The victim was able to flee the scene unharmed and called police.
Berlin Police located Wheatley and short time later on Jefferson Street and found him in possession of a knife. Wheatley was charged with first-and second-degree assault. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held on a $20,000 bond.

Handgun Used In Drug Deal
POCOMOKE — A Pocomoke man was arrested on armed robbery and assault charges last week after allegedly brandishing a handgun during an illegal drug transaction near Stockton.
Last Tuesday, a suspect later identified as Ecentral Francois of Pocomoke was involved in a drug transaction near Stockton. During the deal, Francois allegedly brandished a handgun and forcibly took the drugs. Worcester County Sheriff’s Deputies and Pocomoke Police tracked Francois through the license plate on his vehicle and he was located a short time later and taken into custody. He was subsequently identified by the victim.
Francois was charged with armed robbery, second-degree assault and theft. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered to be held on a $40,000 bond.

‘Run Palmer, Run’
SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on drug and weapon charges this week after fleeing a residence when police observed him using crack cocaine in a residence he did not have permission to be in.
Around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of West Rd. in Salisbury for a report of a suspicious individual in a residence without permission possibly using drugs. When the officer arrived, he observed the suspect, later identified as Devale Palmer, 18, of Salisbury, inside the residence using drugs. The suspect attempted to run away as others in the area shouted “Run Palmer, Run,” according to police reports.
The officer chased Palmer on foot and caught him nearby on Mohawk Ave., at which point he struggled with officers while a crowd formed around him. The deputy was able to secure Palmer and recovered a .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun from his coat. Palmer was also found to be in possession of marijuana and crack cocaine packaged for apparent sale. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of a handgun by a minor, burglary and resisting arrest. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Six Months For Weed, Gun
SNOW HILL — A Laurel, Md. man, arrested on numerous charges in June after first selling marijuana to undercover Ocean City Police narcotics officers and then being found in possession of a handgun in his backpack, pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to two years in jail, all but six months was then suspended.
Around 10:30 p.m. on June 8, a suspect later identified as Loomis Boakai Zayzay, 19, of Laurel, Md., sold marijuana to undercover detectives. Zayzay was then placed under arrest for possession and distribution of marijuana.
During a search incident to the arrest, a semi-automatic handgun was discovered in Zayzay’s backpack. During the investigation, OCPD detectives learned the handgun had been reported stolen in Clayton County, Ga. Zayzay was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, distribution of CDS, possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, possession of a handgun and theft less than $1,000.
Last week, Zayzay pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana and wearing or carrying a handgun and was sentenced to two years for each count. All but six months of the sentence was then suspended and Zayzay was placed on probation for six months upon his release and fined $1,000.